NSPA announces development of its Medical Support strategy

In the margins of the 6th Medical Support Partnership Committee (SPC) meeting, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) outlined the development of its Medical Support strategy. The Agency also announced the first procurement activity through its Medical Support Partnership (SP).

Held  at the Agency’s headquarters in Capellen, Luxembourg, the 6^th Medical SPC the meetingwas supported by keynote addresses from the NATO International Military Staff (IMS) Medical Section and the International Staff NATO Office of Resources (NOR). The gathering included briefings about the ‘Medical Action Plan’ and extended eligibility for NATO Common Funding to support certain medical projects.

The Medical Action Plan, tasked by the North Atlantic Council (NAC) following the Washington Summit, sets out important objectives and priorities for Allies to address the systemic shortfalls in Medical Support Capability. This is the roadmap and definition of mechanisms to meet the strategic goals set out in 2024 by the Committee of the Chiefs of Military Medical Services in NATO (COMEDS) when they proposed the provision of a multinational medical support. Additionally, recent changes extending eligibility to NATO Common Funding for certain medical projects, offer an important element of the overall resource pillar and a new mechanism to deliver medical capabilities.

This 6th Medical SP Committee meeting marked an important milestone toward the project delivery phase, with the initiation of the first procurement activity under the Medical Support Partnership, led by Norway.

The meeting offered attendees the opportunity to learn about the development of NSPA’s Medical Support Strategy, which will ensure NSPA is correctly postured and positioned to meet the anticipated increase in medical support requirements from Allies and NATO Bodies. Specifically, the Medical SP will form a central pillar of the strategy, providing an effective platform for multinational medical procurement, and therefore the embodiment of COMEDS’ intent for Allies to adopt a collective approach towards medical capability development. By fostering a collective and operationally informed demand signal, the Medical SP will drive commonality and interoperability whilst ensuring industry engagement remains proactive and responsive to NATO’s evolving requirements.

To sustain momentum following the 6^th Medical SPC, participating nations will address their priority action areas and projects that may be eligible for NATO Common Funding, on 17 June during a virtual mid-term meeting.

Read more about NSPA’s Medical capabilities.